Shaved Purple Asparagus Salad with Kumquat Dressing

This is a salad made from a stolen opportunity. Well, maybe not a stolen opportunity so much as just stolen. My neighbor’s little kumquat tree is right on the street, so when we pass by my girl and I tend to take a few to eat. My sister does it too when she walks over to visit. We are a family of fruit thieves.

My neighbor does not eat them, so we are actually doing her a service! We eat the fruit before it just shrivels up and falls from the tree. I see it as a win-win situation. (I can justify anything if I try hard enough)

This Shaved Purple Asparagus Salad with Kumquat Dressing is actually the second time I have used the tartly sweet fruits in a salad dressing. Years ago I posted a recipe for Tangy Kumquat Dressing, which I developed after helping unburden that poor little tree of too many kumquats.

Photo by Frieda’s Produce

But, the real star of this salad is purple asparagus. I received some gorgeous purple asparagus from Frieda’s Produce to play with, and the color was just stunning. But if you cook purple asparagus it turns green just like the asparagus you always see in the store. So the best way to showcase these beauties is raw.

When eaten raw, purple asparagus is crispy and juicy, with flavor reminiscent of jicama. Not overtly sweet, but with just a hint of sweetness. A flavor that would contrast nicely with the kumquats flavor profile of sour and sweet. And that is where the other main ingredient comes in. Salt cured olives. You do not have to use salt cured olives, but I do want you to use a strongly flavored olive, such as a kalamata.

When preparing the dressing, soak the kumquats halves in the olive oil overnight for the best flavor. The oils in the kumquat skin will perfume the olive oil with a lovely citrus flavor.

*Fleur de Sel is hand harvested sea salt from France that is used as a finishing salt. You can find it a gourmet stores or online

I may receive compensation in either monetary or product form for my recipe development. I take pride in working with products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. All opinions are my own.